President Arroyo offered yesterday her sympathies to the earthquake victims in Indonesia and pledged to promptly send a humanitarian team to join the international relief efforts.

The President said the entire Filipino nation is "deeply saddened" to learn of the tragedy in a close Asian neighbor which killed more than 4,600 people.

"In behalf of the Filipino people, I extend our sympathies to the people of Indonesia who have once more suffered great loss and pain in the face of this tragedy," she said in a statement.

"Indonesia and the Philippines are part of the same family of peace, harmony and security in this part of the world and we are deeply saddened," she added.

The President said a Philippine medical aid team would be deployed "soonest" to work alongside the global relief effort in earthquake-hit areas in Indonesia.

"We have a duty to help our neighbors as well as the whole of humanity in times like these, just as the world came to our succor in the St. Bernard landslide," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo was referring to the relief and rehabilitation aid extended by several countries to the landslide victims of St. Bernard, Leyte last year to help them get back on their feet.

The President said the Filipino people are also praying for the quake victims and the speedy rehabilitation of the affected communities.

The President, meantime, ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to determine if there were Filipino victims in the Indonesian earthquake and to give them assistance as soon as they are located.

In the light of the powerful quake not far from the country, the President also directed all disaster-related government agencies to team up with the private sector "in updating and gearing up our contingency plans for any untoward threats or events."

"We must act to help others, and be prepared on our own, in times of need," she said.

Indons report 450  aftershocks; quake  death toll at 3,773

BANTUL, Indonesia (AP) -- About 450 aftershocks have hit central Indonesia since a powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake killed at least 3,773 people and injured thousands of others, an official said Sunday.

The strongest aftershock measured magnitude 5.2 and struck about two hours after Saturday’s quake, said Handi, an official at the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency who uses only one name.

The others measured less than magnitude 4, he said.

The first quake struck at 5:54 a.m. Saturday near Yogyakarta on densely populated Java island.

Taiwan sends rescue team to Indonesia, pledges financial aid

TAIPEI (AFP) -- Taiwan sent yesterday a 20-member rescue team to Indonesia, officials said.

‘’Premier Su Tseng-chang has ordered the interior ministry to immediately send a rescue team to Indonesia in the hope of finding any survivors before the so-called 72-hour ‘golden rescue time’ expires,’’ the National Fire Agency said in a statement.

The government has also pledged T,000 and is considering giving relief goods to Indonesia despite a lack of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Offers of rescue teams, financial assistance and emergency supplies have started pouring in from Asian countries and around the world as Indonesia struggles to cope with the disaster.

Asia govts, Australia, NZ send aid to Indonesia fter earthquake

SYDNEY (AP) -- Asian leaders pledged millions of dollars in cash and medical supplies to Indonesia after a powerful earthquake left thousands dead and homeless.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer sent his condolences to the quake’s survivors Sunday, and offered A million for food, shelter and medical supplies.

Downer said Australia would send three assessment teams to determine whether additional support is needed.

"We are looking at what we can do to help -- it may be that we’ll have to do quite a lot," Downer told the Nine television network. "It will depend a bit on what those assessment teams find and our discussions with the Indonesian government."

China’s President Hu Jintao also sent a message of condolence to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang. Hu expressed confidence that Indonesia can overcome the hardship, the official Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday.

Hu offered US$ 2 million to Indonesia and said China would send rescue personnel and materials as needed, Xinhua said.

Singapore announced it is sending a 35-member medical team and a 43member disaster assistance and rescue team including three search dogs. It has also pledged US$ 50,000 worth of supplies, including medical supplies, blankets and tents.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong telephoned Yudhoyono Saturday night and conveyed Singapore’s deepest condolences to the families of the quake victims.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra also offered his support. A foreign ministry official said Thailand plans to send aid to Indonesia, but will not decide on details until today.

Japan sent a team of seven doctors, nurses and ministry officials yesterday to assess the situation before determining what additional aid was required, the Foreign Ministry said.

The Japanese government is also preparing to send relief goods and financial aid, after receiving a request from the Indonesian government, the Foreign Ministry said.

Separately, the Japanese Red Cross Society said yesterday it has decided to contribute Y100 million in emergency disaster relief.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark made an initial pledge of NZ$ 500,000 but said the country is prepared to give more if the situation worsened.

The Asian Development Bank also offered its sympathy to the quake’s victims, but did not specify whether it would provide any immediate financial assistance.

However, the ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda assured the Indonesian government "of ADB’s fullest support and cooperation in rebuilding lives affected by the devastating earthquake."

The Manila-based bank’s office in Jakarta is closely monitoring developments in the quake-ravaged regions near Yogyakarta, where there is extensive damage to buildings and other infrastructure, Kuroda said.